Both a new winemaker and viticulturalist from the Loire region are in the process of being hired, with an announcement due before harvest begins in September. All other existing staff will remain in place.

‘We will of course continue to farm in exactly the same way as the Foucaults always have, with zero chemicals used and fully organic viticulture,’ said Berland.

Antoine Foucault, Charly’s son who worked alongside his father and uncle at Clos Rougeard for a number of years, will continue to concentrate on his own 6ha estate, Domaine du Collier, created in 1999 in the commune of Brézé.

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Clos Rougeard is one of the Loire's best known names.
Credit: Domaine LA / domainela.com